In the next two weeks in our encounters with Jesus, we will be looking at some of His final words to His disciples before Pentecost. This week we’ll be looking specifically at Acts 1: 6-11, where Jesus ascends into heaven: … Continue reading
One of the reasons why I think it is hard to give witness to our faith is we don’t know what to say. How can I share my faith? What will say? How can I invite someone to church? What … Continue reading
What do you think of when you think of “witnessing?” When you think about sharing your faith, what do you think?
Many (most) of us don’t like to think about it. Our palms may start sweating. Our heart may start beating faster. We don’t want to do it. Even if we really love Jesus. Even if we know that folks need Him. Even if we want to tell others about Him, it still makes us nervous.
Yeah, I’m a preacher, and I understand! So listen to what we are told today in 1 Peter 3: 14-16:
14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence.
Peter gives us this word. Always be ready to make a defense (other versions say give an answer) for your hope.
Why do you have hope in a bad situation?
Why do you forgive others when they don’t deserve it?
How do you find the strength to get off the mat when knocked down?
How can you love, serve, and give?
Why are you different?
The answer is Jesus. Jesus is why. He is why we have hope, peace, and show mercy. He is why we can believe in the darkest hour. He is why our lives can be restored and bring restoration to others.
The answer is Jesus.
So, today, we witness. But we don’t have to witness with our words. Now hear me, I’m not saying we shouldn’t witness with our words. If the Lord wants you to talk to someone or say something, do it! What you say matters! It really does.
But, our lives, they scream as loudly as words. Today, may we live our that hope. And may our hope be so alive, that folks want to know why we have it.
The answer is Jesus.
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One of the old songs that many of us grew up singing asks this question about Jesus: “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”
Some folks really stress, worry and strain about faith. How can we believe? How can we know? How can we trust in a God that we can’t see? How can we put our faith in that?
Jesus, in John 5:36, deals with this. He talks about witnesses and testimonies. He talks about how folks can trust what He is saying and trust who He is. He tells how we can trust Him and trust His work. Listen to what He says.
“But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.”
He says my works give witness to me. My works give witness to the fact that I am who I say that I am. My works point to the truth of my proclamation.
Jesus’ works prove that He is Lord.
What works, you may be asking. Well, of course we have the works of scripture. We have what we see there, what we read there, what we know there.
But, we also have the works of His body – the church. The church that loves, that serves, that glorifies Christ, that points to Him, that lives for Him, that worships Him. The church that seeks to love and serve others as Jesus would have us to love and serve. The lives of millions of individual Christians that make up His body give witness.
But it isn’t just that. Think of a time in your life when you felt Him move, when you experienced Him, when you knew Him in a powerful, life-changing way. Think of the times when you loved, served, and cared. Didn’t you feel alive? Didn’t you feel more alive at that moment than in any other time in your life?
That’s the witness of His spirit showing you, pointing to you, calling to you that He is who He says He is.
That’s His witness.
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
May we all feel that witness today in our hearts!
Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.
What is the best thing that you can do today for yourself and your own faith?
What is the best thing that you can do today for someone else and for their faith?
What is the best thing that you can do today for the church and for its witness in the local community and in the world?
What is the best thing that you can do today for our nation and for our leaders?
The answer to all of these questions is given by Paul today in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:
First of all, then, I urgethat supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Pray.
Paul tells us today to pray for all people. To pray for kings and for leaders.
Pray for the strong and the mighty, pray for the weak and the frail. Pray for the ones that you love and admire, pray for the ones that you can’t get along with.
Pray for your friends, and as Jesus would say, pray for your enemies.
Why?
As verse 4 says – God wants all to be saved. Everyone. John 3:16 reminds that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son for the world. God wants every one to be saved. To know Him. To enter into relationship with Him.
Everyone.
And so we do our part. We love. We forgive. We share. We witness. And we do the very best thing that we can do.
We pray.
Today, pray. Pray for all. Pray specific for specific needs, and pray in general for things you don’t know about.
But pray. And in doing this, we are pleasing God. And doing the very best thing that we can do!
Today, may we pray.
Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.
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